Last update 9 January, 2025 by Alberto Llopis
Mario Jardel, He was one of the most lethal forwards of the late years 90 and principles of 2000. The Brazilian, He is remembered for his amazing scoring ability and his effectiveness in the area.. However, His career was not without ups and downs., and his brief time at Deportivo Alavés in 2005 It's an example of how expectations can quickly crumble in the world of football..
Mario Jardel: An unstoppable scorer
Jardel began his career in Brazil with Vasco da Gama, but his stardom came in Europe, especially at FC Porto, where he became the top scorer in the Portuguese league in multiple seasons. Posteriorly, He consolidated his reputation at Galatasaray in Türkiye, scoring decisive goals, including one in the European Super Cup final 2000 against Real Madrid. At Sporting Lisbon, His scoring ability reached another level, scoring 42 goals in the season 2001-2002.
Despite his success in the field, Jardel faced problems outside of him. Injuries, contractual conflicts and personal difficulties began to affect his performance. His career took an erratic course, passing through teams in Brazil, England, Italy and Argentina, without being able to recover his best level.
Jardel and his frustrated time at Deportivo Alavés
In February 2005, Jardel arrived at Deportivo Alavés, which at that time was competing in the Spanish Second Division with the aim of achieving promotion but which 4 years before he had played one of the best finals in football history against Liverpool in the UEFA Cup. The hiring of the Brazilian generated great expectations in the club environment, given his scoring record and his fame as an elite striker. However, from the beginning, things didn't go as expected.
The main obstacle was Jardel's contractual situation. Despite his arrival in Vitoria, The player still had a current link with Newell's Old Boys of Argentina until June of that year. This prevented Alavés from registering him to compete in the Second Division, leaving the club in a delicate position. for weeks, The Alavés board tried to resolve the legal conflict, but the negotiations stalled.
As time passed, tensions between Jardel and the club increased. According to reports, the player requested advance payments, something that the board was not willing to accept. Finally, less than a month after arrival, Jardel terminated his contract and returned to Brazil without having played a single minute for the Basque team.. In the case of Deportivo Alavés, His fleeting passage was a chapter that was never written on the grass.
The episode at Alavés marked one of the lowest points in Mario Jardel's career. The Brazilian failed to regain the confidence and physical condition that had made him a feared scorer in Europe.. His time with the Basque team remained an anecdote of frustrated expectations, for both the club and the player.
Despite these negative episodes, Mario Jardel continues to be remembered as one of the best forwards of his generation. His impressive scoring average, especially at FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon, It is a testament to his innate talent.. However, His story also serves as a reminder of how off-field problems can overshadow a promising career..